Social Media Post by Baylor Could Give Hogs Added Boost

You take extra motivation wherever to get back to winning road games

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
Jan 27, 2023 4:49 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It probably is intended as a social media post to get their fans fired up, but Arkansas noticed it, too.

Razorbacks coach Eric Musselman tends to do that.

It could be motivation for the Hogs after Baylor started throwing out a little fact intended to charge up their fans ... even if they don't match the stats' criteria.

No, the Razorbacks' aren't ranked right now, but if anything it could be a subtle dig that they were earlier in the season before hitting a rough patch and the Bears can handle higher-ranked teams.

In the overall scope of things, it won't exactly change that number at all, but it could be a boost.

For an Arkansas team that has wandered all over the place before settling down the last few games, they look for motivation wherever they can find it.

"We need to play well on the road," Hogs assistant Gus Argenal told the media Thursday afternoon. "That’s an area that we have to improve. This is no better place to start than doing it at Baylor, which will be a crazy crowd and a great opportunity."

This game is being built up in Waco almost like an NCAA Tournament matchup. That's exactly what it was a couple of years ago in the Elite Eight, but the Hogs weren't really able to match up with a Bears' team headed to a title.

We'll find out if this team has developed enough to handle Baylor's 17-ranked team that has had rough patches, but is still pretty good.

"This is a game that you don’t often get to play," Argenal said.

The Hogs went on the road in the SEC a lot early, falling badly at Alabama and Auburn. They were still figuring things out at LSU, but couldn't overcome the guys with whistles at Missouri.

Neither team is like they were a couple of years ago, but the Hogs do have one guy playing well right now that was in that game.

Davonte "Devo" Davis has picked up his game on both ends of the floor and taken over as maybe THE leader of the Hogs.

He probably remembers that NCAA game. For Devo, that memory might be some motivation.

"There is a history," Argenal said. "Our guys love the challenge."

Maybe that got a little assist from social media Friday.